If a thing isn’t in its place, it’s lost.

Where are my keys?

If they’re not where they’re supposed to be, they’re lost.

We’ve been in decluttering mode. But we’re also in moving-back-in mode after having been out of the house for almost 3 months. We throw everything into a few rooms and lock doors. We come back and it’s practically like we moved out–and then moved back in.

We can’t find anything.

Things aren’t where we think they should be, but we’re not exactly sure where they’re supposed to be. Here’s what I want for everything in my life: one of those boards that some bike shops have where every tool has an outline of itself on the wall. It’s ridiculously simple.

There’s an outline for the hammer.

If the hammer is there, you found it.

If the hammer isn’t there, it’s lost.

Go find it and put it where it belongs.

One big helpful trick in organizing your stuff? Everything has its place.

Better yet: always put it back where it belongs.

That’s really it. That’s the secret of the top home organizing gurus (I’ve asked them). Every item has its place. Where do you file your tax papers to look at in the new year? Where do the flashlights go? The keys are always hanging from the same hook.

Would it be weird if I drew (with a big, black permanent marker) outlines of everything in the entire house?

Is it boring to always put your keys in the same place? Yes. Are you now an official organizational dork? Yes. Do you add on hours to joy to your life by subtracting the misery and pain you go through every time you desperately look for your keys? Yes.